England & Wales Police and Crime Commissioner elections, 2012

[-:Undertaker:-]

http://www.iaza.com/work/121108C/iaza13789192971200.png

Well the elections are taking place across England and Wales on the 15th November for the new Police and Crime Commissioners which are largely another useless political office that has been created by the government - with turnout expected to very low in the region of 20%. So whilst I might not agree with the posts being created, rather like the European 'Parliament' Elections we can at least voice disapproval through these elections.

The Wikipedia page, found here; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England_and_Wales_Police_and_Crime_Commissioner_el ections,_2012 gives details on the regional seats as well as (before anybody enquires) listing only Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats and UKIP as these are the only parties which have managed to put up substantial national coverage - the likes of the Greens and independents are standing in some seats though which you can find on the link.

So the question is, who are you voting? or even are you planning to vote?

Thoughts?

[FlyingJesus]

Independant runner Ian Chisnall - my friend's dad :P

Think he's actually the favourite currently which is odd considering how Conservative most of Sussex is

[Kardan]

Voting Labour in my area.

[Inseriousity.]

No idea. not heard a word from any of them. I find the whole concept of a police commissioner very uneasy anyway.

[Grig]

No idea. not heard a word from any of them. I find the whole concept of a police commissioner very uneasy anyway.

It's not a new concept. Britain implemented a police commissioner in places like Hong Kong since they gained the city in the 19th century and it worked well. Although it's curious that you vote for one, as it's usually someone appointed.

[tm]

100% not voting for the following two reasons.

1. A former Met police chief (who held a similar position as to what we're supposedly voting for) said a few weeks ago to boycott the voting because its disorganised and farcical*. He knows far better than anyone what's going on and I trust his judgement as an expert on this.

2. The police must to be impartial politically, and rightly so, but the people we're supposed to be voting for are (mainly) politicians representing specific political parties. It's absolutely ridiculous, a complete conflict of interest and undermines the impartiality of the whole policing system in England. The PCCs must swear an oath of impartiality if they win, so why the hell are they representing political parties in the first place? **

I encourage anyone who's considering voting to read the two sources I've linked to and then find as much information as possible out about who they might be voting for as to make an informed decision based on the individual nominee.

Most importantly: DO NOT JUST BLINDLY VOTE FOR THE POLITICAL PARTY YOU USUALLY SUPPORT!

* Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20020451
** Source: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/media-centre/news/police-commissioner-oath

[GommeInc]

A complete waste of time and the big political parties have no idea who they're chucking into the mix. In Canterbury, the Labour and Conservative candidates have no experience in policing and have barely been involved in public service or anything to do with the law - so Christ knows what they're doing... The only decent ones are Independents, one of which has some working knowledge of policing and the law.

[-:Undertaker:-]

Most importantly: DO NOT JUST BLINDLY VOTE FOR THE POLITICAL PARTY YOU USUALLY SUPPORT!

Indeed, apparently the Conservatives and UKIP were going to not stand candidates (and not make it political) but then Labour went ahead and decided to stand candidates under the Labour Party label. Personally I think party names ought to be removed from the ballot in every election so people actually have to go out and read about the candidates rather than simply look for Labour or Conservative and place an X next to it.

Good to see a strong vote for independents so far, my vote is with Godfrey Bloom MEP in Yorkshire.

[tm]

Indeed, apparently the Conservatives and UKIP were going to not stand candidates (and not make it political) but then Labour went ahead and decided to stand candidates under the Labour Party label. Personally I think party names ought to be removed from the ballot in every election so people actually have to go out and read about the candidates rather than simply look for Labour or Conservative and place an X next to it.

Exactly. They've made this into a political vote when it simply isn't one and I cannot understand why it's been allowed to happen.

[Ardemax]

It would be nice to ask people if they wanted this to happen in the first place...

[lawrawrrr]

Not eligible to vote at home and here (despite not originally being on the register) I'm voting Conservative. First past the post here as there's only two candidates - surprised not to see a Welsh party running really.

[-:Undertaker:-]

Off to vote for the wonderful Godfrey Bloom MEP (UKIP) in half an hour, thought it'd be interesting to hear what people decided in the end or whether they bothered. The turnout is expected to be at an all time low of 15% to 28% and there's three by-elections to watch out for (most eyes on swing-seat Corby by-election which Tories are expected to lose badly). Results are expected Friday daytime.

A low turnout will probably boost the votes of the smaller parties or independent candidates which is a bonus, interesting.

[jam666]

Off to vote in the next hour or so. The Cleveland commissioner election is already a foregone conclusion as the entire area votes labour. There are four candidates which consist of labour, green, conservative and an independent. The labour candidate is corrupt as he has previously being on the police board of directors for the cleveland force, the green candidate is a raving looney, the independent is not an independent as hes president of some islamic foundation but also won a 800k payout from cleveland police for his dismissal. and finally the conservative candidate is an ex council leader.

All in all, a sorry bunch of people but the best of the bad bunch seems to be the conservative candidate so I'll vote for him. I would of voted for UKIP but sadly they are not standing in my area. As for putting a cross next to a second choice candidate? I don't think so.

Whether you like or hate the candidates or even disapprove of the police commissioner election you still NEED to vote. If you don't vote then I'm afraid you don't have a right to complain. It's there to be used, so use it regardless of who you vote for.

[-:Undertaker:-]

PCC Election results

http://www.iaza.com/work/121117C/iaza12467934484000.png

Nationally the results were...

Labour 32%
Conservative 27.9%
Independent 26.8%
Liberal Democrats 7.2%
UKIP 7%

By election results

http://www.iaza.com/work/121117C/iaza12467999089400.png

Extra points

- UKIP result in Corby was their best ever election performance despite not standing there before.
- High number of spoilt ballots in PCC elections.
- Low turnout recorded, lowest levels of turnout ever in some parts of the country with average at around 14%.
- Strong results for independent candidates.
- Shock defeat for Labour's Lord Prescott in Yorkshire as he is defeated by an independent.

[Inseriousity.]

Off to vote in the next hour or so. The Cleveland commissioner election is already a foregone conclusion as the entire area votes labour. There are four candidates which consist of labour, green, conservative and an independent. The labour candidate is corrupt as he has previously being on the police board of directors for the cleveland force, the green candidate is a raving looney, the independent is not an independent as hes president of some islamic foundation but also won a 800k payout from cleveland police for his dismissal. and finally the conservative candidate is an ex council leader.

All in all, a sorry bunch of people but the best of the bad bunch seems to be the conservative candidate so I'll vote for him. I would of voted for UKIP but sadly they are not standing in my area. As for putting a cross next to a second choice candidate? I don't think so.

Whether you like or hate the candidates or even disapprove of the police commissioner election you still NEED to vote. If you don't vote then I'm afraid you don't have a right to complain. It's there to be used, so use it regardless of who you vote for.

He was independent in the sense that there will be no party whip telling him soundbites on what to say and do while in charge. His slogan was right anyway "Policing, not politics."

This election has been a shambles from start to finish.